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Heyward Named to Bednarik Award Watch List
8/1/2022 10:00:00 AM | Football
DURHAM – Duke redshirt senior linebacker Shaka Heyward has been selected to the preseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the outstanding defensive player in college football.
In 39 career games, the Dacula, Ga., native has compiled 246 tackles, 26.5 tackle for loss, 9.5 sacks, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, one pass breakup and 11 quarterback pressures. Heyward heads into the 2022 season with four-plus tackles in 28 straight contests and is one of two returners with 2,400-plus career snaps (Jacob Monk: 2,411).
The 2021 Third Team All-ACC selection and recipient of the team's Vincent Rey Award, an honor presented to the team's top linebacker, tallied a career-best 2.5 tackles for loss against Pittsburgh just a year ago. He also recorded an interception against Notre Dame in 2019 and Kansas in 2021.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck "Concrete Charlie" Bednarik who was an All American player at the University of Pennsylvania and later a multiple year All Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full-time player on both offense and defense.
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced November 1, 2022, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled November 22, 2022. The winners of the 28th Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 8, 2022. The formal presentations of the award will be made at the 86th Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala live from Atlantic City, N.J. on March 10, 2023.
Duke's 2022 season opener is Friday, Sept. 2 against Temple. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Season and single game tickets for the 2022 Duke football season are now on sale. New customers can visit GoDuke.com/FootballTix or call the Duke Athletics Ticket Office at 919-681-BLUE (2583) to purchase tickets. Season ticket holders from 2021 who would like to renew their seats for this season can call the ticket office Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Duke Players on 2022 NCFAA Watch Lists
Ray Guy Award: Porter Wilson
Paul Hornung: Jaylen Stinson
#GoDuke
In 39 career games, the Dacula, Ga., native has compiled 246 tackles, 26.5 tackle for loss, 9.5 sacks, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, one pass breakup and 11 quarterback pressures. Heyward heads into the 2022 season with four-plus tackles in 28 straight contests and is one of two returners with 2,400-plus career snaps (Jacob Monk: 2,411).
The 2021 Third Team All-ACC selection and recipient of the team's Vincent Rey Award, an honor presented to the team's top linebacker, tallied a career-best 2.5 tackles for loss against Pittsburgh just a year ago. He also recorded an interception against Notre Dame in 2019 and Kansas in 2021.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck "Concrete Charlie" Bednarik who was an All American player at the University of Pennsylvania and later a multiple year All Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full-time player on both offense and defense.
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced November 1, 2022, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled November 22, 2022. The winners of the 28th Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 8, 2022. The formal presentations of the award will be made at the 86th Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala live from Atlantic City, N.J. on March 10, 2023.
Duke's 2022 season opener is Friday, Sept. 2 against Temple. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Season and single game tickets for the 2022 Duke football season are now on sale. New customers can visit GoDuke.com/FootballTix or call the Duke Athletics Ticket Office at 919-681-BLUE (2583) to purchase tickets. Season ticket holders from 2021 who would like to renew their seats for this season can call the ticket office Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Duke Players on 2022 NCFAA Watch Lists
Ray Guy Award: Porter Wilson
Paul Hornung: Jaylen Stinson
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
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